Obvious State is a creative studio, their artwork and goods are inspired by beautiful language that has stood the test of time, poetry that stretches the imagination, and philosophy that prompts us to think deeply. Obvious State takes snippets of text from literature, philosophy, and poetry as inspiration for a visual response and illustration. 

“For we have thought the longer thoughts, and gone the shorter way.” – Ernest Hemingway

From his poem Chapter Heading.

In his earlier work, Hemingway experimented with the lean, muscular writing style he eventually distilled to what he referred to as “iceberg theory.” That is, leave your meaning mostly beneath the surface.

We love this elegant aphorism for what remains unsaid, but our guess is that he was speaking broadly of humanity.

As human beings, we are capable of extraordinary creativity, wisdom and compassion. But we’re also capable of destruction, distrust and self-inflicted wounds.

In the illustration, Obvious State reimagined this contradiction in our nature as a flourishing tree with a tenuous foundation. From the top, it branches out in a hundred directions, each leaf taking the shape of an eye observing the world. But from the base, the trunk is displaced to form the blade of an axe – the source of its own potential destruction.

Product Details:

• Cover: 18pt recycled chipboard made from recycled content & books
• 32 college ruled sheets, uncoated 70# paper
• Pocket sized: 3.5 x 5 inches
• Saddle stitched with matching black staples
• Made in US in partnership with Scout Books.

You can shop the collection here.